First baby given xenon gas to prevent brain injury (BBC)

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Every year in the UK more than 1,000 otherwise healthy babies born at full term die or suffer brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen or blood supply at birth.

The xenon technique was developed by Marianne Thoreson, professor of neonatal neuroscience at the University of Bristol, and Dr John Dingley, consultant anaesthetist at Swansea University's School of Medicine.

Professor Thoreson said: "After seven days, Riley was alert, able to look at his mother's face, hold up his head and begin to take milk."
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She said: "Over the past eight years, we have shown in the laboratory that xenon doubles the protective effect of cooling on the brain.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/8611130.stm